The Irish Republican Army (IRA) has existed as an organization for nearly 100 years. Particularly as terrorist groups go, that is impressive; in fact, “long-standing terrorism expert David Rapoport argues that 90 percent [of terrorist groups] last less than a year.” The case of the IRA, therefore, is significant to the discussion of how terrorism ends by, providing an essential context for a variety of reasons. This paper will specifically treat two of those reasons: 1) its centenary duration and multi-generational appeal; and 2) its participation in the peace process. In order to better understand the relevance of the Irish Republican Army to the discussion of how terrorism ends, it will be necessary to provide some historical context. The
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At this point, “the IRA became the stronghold of intransigent opposition to Ireland’s dominion status and the separation of Northern Ireland.” In 1969, the IRA underwent the first of several splits. As violence between factions increased in Northern Ireland, Britain was obligated to employ the use of military regulars in an attempt to keep the peace. Though the troops were ostensibly deployed to prevent violence in general, including the protection of the Catholic minority, many in the now-weak IRA saw this as a renewal of British occupation that merited violent reprisal. As a result, the IRA split into two groups, the official IRA and the Provisional IRA. The official IRA was opposed to violent tactics and ultimately declared a ceasefire. The Provisional IRA, made up of more traditional Irish republicans, was determined to use the tactics of “armed struggle.” Ultimately, this resonated more with the Irish people, and the Provisional IRA became the de facto IRA. The Provisional IRA is primarily responsible for the “terrorist” appellation that has attached itself to the Irish Republican …show more content…
It has successfully passed on its ideals and its fight for dozens of generations. Although there have been many groups over the last century who have taken up the banner of resistance to British rule, the Irish Republican Army has emerged as the embodiment of that movement for generations. A major part of the IRA’s success in this matter is the emphasis on, and claim to, legitimacy. Before the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921, Irish republicans had declared Ireland to be a free republic and had established a resistance government, including the election of an Irish parliament called the Second Dail. The IRA was organized in a response to the treaty and reaffirmed its allegiance to the Second Dail when they were defeated in the civil war. In response, the remaining members of the scattered and broken Second Dail transferred authority—and therefore, legitimacy—to the IRA itself. As the group splintered over the years, and portions of it sought to use legitimate means other than violence—an important occurrence that will be treated later. T—the remaining members of the Second Dail clarified the inheritance of that authority: “first to the provisional IRA and later to the Continuity IRA,” or those portions that were initially committed to the continued use of
At this point, “the IRA became the stronghold of intransigent opposition to Ireland’s dominion status and the separation of Northern Ireland.” In 1969, the IRA underwent the first of several splits. As violence between factions increased in Northern Ireland, Britain was obligated to employ the use of military regulars in an attempt to keep the peace. Though the troops were ostensibly deployed to prevent violence in general, including the protection of the Catholic minority, many in the now-weak IRA saw this as a renewal of British occupation that merited violent reprisal. As a result, the IRA split into two groups, the official IRA and the Provisional IRA. The official IRA was opposed to violent tactics and ultimately declared a ceasefire. The Provisional IRA, made up of more traditional Irish republicans, was determined to use the tactics of “armed struggle.” Ultimately, this resonated more with the Irish people, and the Provisional IRA became the de facto IRA. The Provisional IRA is primarily responsible for the “terrorist” appellation that has attached itself to the Irish Republican …show more content…
It has successfully passed on its ideals and its fight for dozens of generations. Although there have been many groups over the last century who have taken up the banner of resistance to British rule, the Irish Republican Army has emerged as the embodiment of that movement for generations. A major part of the IRA’s success in this matter is the emphasis on, and claim to, legitimacy. Before the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921, Irish republicans had declared Ireland to be a free republic and had established a resistance government, including the election of an Irish parliament called the Second Dail. The IRA was organized in a response to the treaty and reaffirmed its allegiance to the Second Dail when they were defeated in the civil war. In response, the remaining members of the scattered and broken Second Dail transferred authority—and therefore, legitimacy—to the IRA itself. As the group splintered over the years, and portions of it sought to use legitimate means other than violence—an important occurrence that will be treated later. T—the remaining members of the Second Dail clarified the inheritance of that authority: “first to the provisional IRA and later to the Continuity IRA,” or those portions that were initially committed to the continued use of